Contract security hands Apps keys to new lease on life

NRLW pioneer Kezie Apps has captained Australia to World Cup glory and made more Origin appearances than any other Sky Blue, but before signing a three-year deal with Wests Tigers, the 32-year-old had found financial security an elusive dream.

Putting her body, and potential livelihood on the line to play rugby league, has long been the norm for Apps, who debuted in the NRLW in 2018 with the Dragons and has chalked up 20 NRLW appearances.

Earning the respect of her peers and the fans has never been a problem for Apps, but earning the sort of money her CV demands has proved a whole lot tougher, until now.

Apps’ departure from St George Illawarra came as a big surprise for the league world but inking the long-term deal with Wests Tigers marked a new era of contract certainty for the women’s game.

“Before, the unknown was very scary. I had only been on three-month contracts and if something happened, I wouldn’t know what my situation would look like,” Apps told NRL.com.

“My partner and I once went to try and get a bank loan to buy a house and I couldn’t because I didn’t have any financial security.

“I was trying to explain that this was my job and I play for different teams and have different sources of income.

“But there was nothing consistent to show for, so it was really hard to take that at the time.

“Now just having that security and knowing I’m going to be at one club [for three years] and no matter if I get injured or not, knowing they’re going to look after me is just amazing.”

A Jillaroos and NSW State of Origin captain, Apps has been a significant part of the NRLW’s development to professional status.

While many players are still juggling families, work or study, with the 2023 season marking the first opportunity for players to sign multi-year contracts, Apps hopes a new norm is on the horizon. A new era that will see NRLW players relieved of the fear of an off-season injury derailing their career.

“The unknown became the normal for us but when you really think about it you realise that when the men got injured it was almost like who cares, they have all the physios, facilities they need to get back,” she said.

“I was lucky at Dragons where I don’t think I would have had a problem but for other girls, who didn’t have the relationships it would have been really hard.

“Having those long term multi-year contracts in place now in place makes it more appealing for girls to come to the sport knowing they have that security.”

After Apps’ Jillaroos co-captain Sam Bremner retired at the end of the 2022 World Cup, the former Dragon admitted she had also considered hanging up the boots after her last Origin campaign, however the Sky Blues’ thrilling Game Two victory reinstalled she’s got plenty left to give.

“I listened to Sammy’s podcast on how she felt like it was time for her after the World Cup but I felt the opposite after Origin. I still feel like I’ve got more to give,” Apps said.

“Origin Game Two took me back to that World Cup in 2017 when that Grand Final was a real battle and we only won by a try.

“I still feel like I’m learning and playing new positions and new things to give.

“It has crossed my mind a few times and I sort of told myself that that would have probably been it but I still feel like I’ve got more.

“And then the Tigers said they wanted me for a couple of years so I thought I’d take that opportunity. They had belief in me as a player and they didn’t care how old I was.

“It is obviously a great feeling knowing that another club valued you and really wanted you to be a part of their club.”